REVIEW - The biological and clinical importance of the new generation cytokines in rheumatic diseases

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The Biological and Clinical Importance of the 'New Generation'

Cytokines in Rheumatic Diseases

From Arthritis Research & Therapy

Cem Gabay; Iain B McInnes

Posted: 05 Feb 2010; Arthritis Research & Therapy. 2009;11(3) © 2009

Abstract

A better understanding of cytokine biology over the last two decades

has allowed the successful development of cytokine inhibitors against

tumour necrosis factor and interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6. The

introduction of these therapies should be considered a breakthrough in

the management of several rheumatic diseases. However, many patients

will exhibit no or only partial response to these therapies, thus

emphasising the importance of exploring other therapeutic strategies.

In this article, we review the most recent information on novel

cytokines that are often members of previously described cytokine

families such as the IL-1 superfamily (IL-18 and IL-33), the IL-12

superfamily (IL-27 and IL-35), the IL-2 superfamily (IL-15 and IL-21),

and IL-17. Several data derived from experimental models and clinical

samples indicate that some of these cytokines contribute to the

pathophysiology of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Targeting of some of these cytokines has already been tested in

clinical trials with interesting results.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/715148

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